DORMA goes global in celebrating its 100th year of business: Main event at Ennepetal HQ with some 9,000 guests
Federal chancellor sends video message – keynote address given by former federal president Herzog
 Ennepetal, Germany - International door systems manufacturer DORMA celebrated its centenary in the company of some 9,000 guests at an event held today, July 5, at its headquarters in Ennepetal, Germany. The anniversary party hosted by Ulrich Wickert was also streamed live via the internet to more than 20,000 people at DORMA’s various subsidiary sites around the world. The same pictures were broadcast live to three giant video screens arranged around the company’s Ennepetal site. The keynote address was given by former federal president Prof. Dr. Roman Herzog. Economics minister Christa Thoben honoured the company with a message of goodwill from the regional government of North Rhine-Westphalia. And in a special video message, Germany’s chancellor Angela Merkel paid tribute to DORMA’s exceptional innovative strength: “Your company has been a true success story and is famed for its prowess in producing a constant stream of innovations including, to name just one example, your new drive technologies for sliding doors.” She also made specific mention of the importance of brand protection, praising the company’s systematic approach to combating product counterfeiting. The federal government was, she said, also doing everything it could in order to advance the cause of the protection of intellectual property across international boundaries. Angela Merkel ended her message with the words: “I wish you all the best for the future and hope that one day – be it in 20, 30, 50 or another 100 years’ time – people will still be remarking on this company’s ability to leave its indelible mark in history.”
A family-run company with a view to the longer term
DORMA CEO Dr. Michael Schädlich preceded the chancellor’s message with a brief insight into the company’s development across the decades: “Like all companies, we had to start anew after the Second World War. Since 1950, we have enjoyed continuous growth, with average annual rises of 13.5 per cent in sales and 7.2 per cent in terms of employee numbers.” And he went on to say: “Today, we have a workforce of around 7,000 generating revenues of almost 900 million euros with products and services aligned to creating customer satisfaction worldwide.” Dr. Schädlich listed a number of essential factors that remain key to the success of the company, including in particular product quality, DORMA’s highly committed, well trained and conscientious employees, and the continuing process of globalisation, which began 25 years ago. As an important strategic prerequisite for DORMA’s successful and ongoing development, the CEO also underlined the importance of the long-term vision adopted by its private owners. “Placing their trust in a hired management – and approach which, for several proprietor generations now, has been applied in the day-to-day running of the company, the family has ploughed much of the earnings generated back into securing the future of DORMA as a going concern. And the CEO declared: “Our employees are well aware of the purpose of their work. Now, at over 40 sites around the world, we are together again, celebrating in synchronisation. I am convinced that, with our people and with adherence to the basic principles that I have mentioned, the company will remain healthy, strong and capable of further dynamic growth.”
Social and societal responsibilities
DORMA proprietor Karl-Rudolf Mankel expressed his delight at the innumerable messages of congratulations that he had received. He also made special mention of the social and societal responsibilities that companies bear. As a special symbol of the owner family’s continuity and commitment through the generations, he announced the establishment of the “Rudolf Mankel Stiftung” – a charitable foundation co-supported by his daughters Christine (25) and Stephanie (22). Named after the company’s founder, the purpose of this institution will be the provision of effective support for the underprivileged and innocents in need. Following the success of the investments made to secure the economic viability of the company’s main site in Ennepetal, this constitutes a further clear commitment to entrepreneurial responsibility within the region, this time in the social domain.
Ennepetal, July 5, 2008
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Management Board: CFO Michael Flacke, Owner Karl-Rudolf Mankel, CEO Dr. Michael Schädlich, COO Lothar Linde (from left)
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DORMA Headquarters Ennepetal 2008
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DORMA Headquarters Ennepetal 1969
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DORMA Management Board: Karl-Rudolf Mankel, Dr. Michael Schädlich (from left)
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Rudolf Mankel sen. Company‘s founder
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Overview of all pictures (PDF)
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All pictures as zip file
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